Aroostook County – TAMC has once again partnered with Bigrock Mountain in Mars Hill to provide low cost opportunities to learn to ski or snowboard, and to enjoy a full day of it as part of “Wicked Cheap Wednesdays.”

The decision to support local youth ski programs is directly tied to one of TAMC’s goals of decreasing youth obesity. The longstanding partnership between the hospital and Bigrock Mountain, a popular destination for outdoor winter activity, is designed to reach that goal.

Jamie Guerrette, community health specialist at TAMC, said the hospital takes every opportunity to educate people in the community on ways they can live a healthy lifestyle and encourages them to do so by providing more opportunities, like sponsoring the Bigrock Snow School, as well as ski school activities at Quoggy Jo and the Nordic Heritage Sport Club.

The Bigrock Snow School, powered by TAMC, features classes held on Saturdays and Sundays that welcome students ages four and up, as well as after school programming for children from various schools across The County. All of the programs are designed to teach students at various skill levels new techniques to allow them to enjoy skiing/snowboarding safely and responsibly. Students are not only taught skiing/snowboarding, but also proper equipment care and maintenance.

In addition, TAMC helps to provide a low cost way to get more people to stay active on the slopes. Bigrock has featured discounted skiing on Wednesdays for a number of years now, sponsored by area businesses. Originally billed as ‘Free Ski Corporate Night,’ the event has progressed into something that lasts most of the day, and TAMC is proud to be a season long sponsor.

Now billed “Wicked Cheap Wednesday,” it allows skiers and snowboarders to purchase lift tickets for only five dollars. Rental equipment is also available at a discounted rate of ten dollars.

Due to conditions, TAMC Day at Bigrock, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 28.

“We got a bit of rain and had some warmer temperatures, which doesn’t always make for great skiing conditions,” said Travis Kearney, director of operations at Bigrock Mountain. “Postponing until the following week seemed like the right thing to do. We’re really happy to have TAMC in our corner and we look forward to TAMC Day on February 28th.”

Despite the warm up mid-week, Bigrock had a good February vacation week according to Kearney. “We had 800 skiers on Sunday and 700 on Monday. Conditions are improving after the warm up, with conditions getting better each day we groom.”

In addition to the discounted lift tickets and rentals for Wicked Cheap Wednesday on February 28, TAMC employees will be on hand with free cookies and hot cocoa starting at 5:00 pm. TAMC’s Ted E. Bear will be available for photos and to interact with children.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the entire family outside for the day,” said Guerrette. “If you’ve always wanted to try skiing but haven’t been able to, this is the perfect way to do it.”

For more information about Wicked Cheap Wednesday or Bigrock visit their website at www.bigrockmaine.com.